A national initiative conceptualized by Dora-nominated choreographer and creator Esie Mensah (Shades, A Revolution of Love), TESSEL explores the complexities of movement and voice as a form of resilience – and to achieve truth and honesty in sharing its participants’ lived experience as Black dance artists.  Premiering across the country on the one-year anniversary of Blackout Tuesday (June 1) – a day when organizations worldwide publicly expressed their commitment towards institutional change to support the Black community – the film aims to amplify Black voices by providing a platform for the artists to share their truths. Crimson Coast Dance is honoured to be supporting and co-presenting TESSEL along with a network of 21 Canadian performing arts organizations.

On June 1 TESSEL will be available for streaming FREE in Canada only by visiting tessel.film

Featuring: 

• Eugene “GeNie” Baffoe (Winnipeg)
• Livona Ellis (Vancouver)
• Kevin Fraser (Vancouver)
• Alexandra “Spicey” Landé (Montréal)
• Gabrielle Martin (Vancouver)
• Esie Mensah (Toronto)
• Raoul Pillay (Toronto)
• Natasha Powell (Toronto)
• Liliona Quarmyne (Halifax)
• Lua Shayenne (Toronto)
• Crazy Smooth (Ottawa)
• Ronald A. Taylor (Toronto)
• Lisa La Touche (Calgary)
• Ravyn Wngz (Toronto)

Join TESSEL’s director Esie Mensah in a Bantaba artist talk and community gathering, hosted by Toronto’s Dance Immersion and moderated (in English) by Nicole Inica Hamilton.

Thursday, June 10, 2021 from 7:30 – 9:00 PM over Zoom. Participation is free. Learn more and register.